public lands belong to us

Public Lands Funding HAS EXPIRED

The Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) expired September 30th at midnight. LWCF is America’s most important conservation and recreation program, responsible for protecting parks, trails, wildlife refuges and recreation areas at the federal, state and local level. For over 52 years, it has provided critical funding for land and water conservation projects, access to recreation, and the continued historic preservation of our nation’s iconic landmarks. LWCF does not use any taxpayer dollars – it is funded using a small portion of revenues from offshore oil and gas royalty payments.

Congress has FAILED to reauthorize this important source of funding BY REFUSING TO take action.

we need CONGRESS to act now!

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided funding to help protect some of Wisconsin’s most treasured places and ensures recreational access for hunting, fishing and other outdoor activities. It has also been a vital program for keeping large tracts of forestland intact and producing timber for local forestry economies.

Wisconsin has received approximately $218 million in LWCF funding over the past five decades, protecting places such as the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, the Ice Age National Scenic Trail and North Country National Scenic Trail, the St. Croix National Scenic River and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

Tell CONGRESS:

reauthorize the LWCF!

Public lands benefit Wisconsin. Our state depends on them.

Our public lands are owned by all Americans. They're the places you hunt, swim, fish, and camp. They benefit all of Wisconsin by providing jobs, improving local economies, protecting our water and air quality, and guaranteeing places to be outside in nature, close to home. Public lands are, at their core, the American promise of freedom, fulfilled for each and every one of us and future generations.

Public lands are vital to Wisconsin's economy - without them, we fail, and the numbers are staggering. Outdoor recreational tourism is the second largest industry in Wisconsin. It brings almost $11 billion to our state and sustains over 140,000 jobs annually. We can't afford to lose this. Taking away funding from public lands jeopardizes Wisconsin's economy and hurts Wisconsin's residents and families.